__________________Queen Elizabeth: "I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else, I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations." God, Save The Queen!

HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends a ceremony to re-dedicate the Cenotaph at Auckland War Memorial on the fourth day of his seven day visit to New Zealand, on March 18, 2007 in Auckland, New Zealand:

I actually met Andew today in the hospital I work. He was charming and gracious not the Hooray Henry I thought he would be.His visit proved a slice of life that is rarely afforded we in operating theatres. I enjoyed myself.

Here are the pics from today: HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York inspects the Royal Guard of Honour at the Devonport Naval Base on the fifth day of his seven day visit to New Zealand March 19, 2007 in Auckland, New Zealand:

I actually met Andew today in the hospital I work. He was charming and gracious not the Hooray Henry I thought he would be.His visit proved a slice of life that is rarely afforded we in operating theatres. I enjoyed myself.

Did he have much to say?
Did he seem bright?
Is he better or worse looking in person?
Did he sound like you thought he would?

Prince Andrew visiting Auckland where he attended the International Down Syndrome Day function hosted by His Excellency The Governor General at the Pavilion, Government House and where he was shown around the McDell Marine boat building operation, on March 20, 2007 in Auckland, New Zealand:

yvrgirl he is really nice looking tall asked smart questions was very intereted in anything he was lold an absolute surprise to me. He asked me if I liked working in such a high pressure enviroment and I will take more of an interest myself in what he does as he was really good at hisjob and honestly that is all you could ask of him.

A royal audience for little Kiwi princess Laura
Prince Andrew met a princess with a difference at the International Down Syndrome Day function at Government House in Auckland yesterday.
Laura Blow, 5, who suffers from leukaemia as well as Down Syndrome, took a break from her chemotherapy treatment to give the Duke of York a painting drawn by one of her friends.

Prince Andrew releases Beatrice ... the kiwi
While he may have been in Rotorua on official business representing his mother, the Duke of York also forged a more personal link with the area.
Prince Andrew released a Kiwi named Beatrice - after his eldest daughter - into the forest on Mokoia Island on Sunday.

__________________Queen Elizabeth: "I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else, I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations." God, Save The Queen!

Joining your wishes, hope the brave little girl will make a full recovery.

__________________Queen Elizabeth: "I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else, I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations." God, Save The Queen!

Great pictures, everyone! Thanks for posting. I esp. like the ones where he's in the white uniform. Handsome! I also hope things work out for that little "princess". Thanks Avalon for posting such a touching story.

Andrew has been in Monaco yesterday, here is a pic of him looking at some pictures at the cocktail reception of the charity organization Outward Bound at the Musee Oceanographique Monaco, Monte Carlo, as he has been a guest of Prince Albert you can find some more pics at this thread.

yvrgirl he is really nice looking tall asked smart questions was very intereted in anything he was lold an absolute surprise to me. He asked me if I liked working in such a high pressure enviroment and I will take more of an interest myself in what he does as he was really good at hisjob and honestly that is all you could ask of him.

This is the best thing about most of the royals, in general in all of the world, for the most part. Most of them, from what I can tell, take a genuine interest in each engagement. I imagine sometimes they are bored, as some of the engagements, no matter how positive you try to be, are deadly dull. Mostly I think the military engagements (those ghastly long parades) are the worst. But even then, you see most of the royals engaging in it somehow. It has to be all tied up in their "training". I can just imagine in the long list of "palace courses": Boredom 101: How to be counteract the dullest engagements, a seminar in the art of the wits.

That course would start the moment they fussed in public. Even compared to some of my sedate siblings (THEN), most Royals are absolute darlings in public. To the point that when they do "screw up", its cute, not annoying.

There I feel sorry for Royal kids like Andrew. Having a tantrum would be a Great Offense and they wouldn't get go again--which would mean seeing their parents less. When your older siblings get more time with Mummy because they Behave, no wonder such lips get so stiff!

Mostly I think the military engagements (those ghastly long parades) are the worst...

Spare a thought for all the poor military personel, who have probably been on the parade ground/line up for at least an hour before the royal personage turns up. Who had to spend hours and hours practising to be perfect, for what can be a 5 minute presentation! Not allowed to cough, scratch, move or complain. If it's hot they bake, if it's raining they drown! The unsung heroes/heroines that have had to paint the grass, search the base, been on double guard for at least 2 days before the expected visit.